Swimmer training device

ABSTRACT

A muscle training device which is particularly suitable for swimmers has a user supporting surface (2). Two traction elements each of which turns about two pivots (9, 10) are arranged in front of the user supporting surface (2). The traction elements are provided with gripping elements (7). A biasing device (4) opposes a force applied to move each traction element. In order to ensure effective muscle training, both traction elements (6) are symmetrically arranged at an angle α with respect to a longitudinal axis of the user supporting surface (2). The spacing between the traction elements (6) at their pivots (9) nearest to the user supporting surface (2 ) is greater than the spacing between the pivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface (2). The top span of the traction element (6) has a curved surface (8) shaped as a path described by hands during swimming. The pivots (9) nearest to the user supporting surface (2) lie lower than the pivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface (2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a device for muscle training, particularly forswimmers, according to an introductory portion of claim 1.

From SU-A 597 376 a generic device for exercising muscles for swimmersis known which is used for imitating a swimming movement, particularly amovement for the crawl stroke. This known device employs a tractionelement that is arranged along a length axis of a swimmer supportingsurface. The traction element is quite wide so that arms of the swimmercan alternately interact with gripping elements of the traction element.Accordingly, space requirements for this known device are substantiallygreat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A top span of the traction element is particularly constructed to bestraight and extends at an angle to a length axis of the supportingsurface. This does not correspond to a movement path of an arm when aswimmer is doing the crawl stroke or the butterfly stroke so thatmuscles are not strained in the same manner as when they do thecorresponding swimming movements. The effectiveness, therefore, ofexisting muscle exercising devices is small.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for trainingmuscles, particularly those of a swimmer, with an uncomplicatedstructure which makes possible effective muscle training.

This object is achieved by combining the generic state of the art withthe characterizing limitations of claim 1. Beneficial furtherembodiments of the inventive device are recited in patent claims 2through 8.

The inventive embodiments of the device make it possible for a user tocarry out swimming movements for a corresponding swimming style. It istherefore possible to target particular muscle groups which arenecessary for corresponding swimming movements. Therefore, effectivetraining is possible with the device of this invention.

If gripping elements are made as is recited in claim 2, they can begripped easily with hands. Also, injury to a swimmer is avoided.

If a curved radius of a bow-shaped upper surface can be changed asrecited in claim 3, the device can be adapted for anthropometric data ofa swimmer.

A mattress filled with a fluid in accordance with claim 6 makes itpossible for a body to imitate its movements which take place duringswimming in water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below withuse of the drawings; wherein

FIG. 1 is a side view of a muscle training device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a portion of an endless traction element;

FIG. 4 shows interaction of an endless traction element with a loadingdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device shown in FIG. 1 serves to train muscles which are used duringswimming movements.

The device has a frame 1 on which a surface 2 for supporting a user isarranged. The device further has a force unit 3 and a loading device 4.

The force unit 3 includes two identical endless traction elements 6which extend about two pivots 9, 10 in the manner of a conveyor belt.The endless traction elements 6 are provided with gripping elements 7for hands of a user. Each endless traction element 6 is so constructedthat the user engages a gripping element 7 when carrying out a swimmingmovement and pulling his arms through against a force. The loadingdevice 4 serves as a brake for the traction element 6 so as to provide aresistance to pulling the traction element through.

The traction elements 6 are, relative to a longitudinal axis O--O of theuser supporting surface 2, geometrically arranged. The upper spans ofthe traction elements 6 have bowed-shaped upper surfaces 8 (FIG. 1)which correspond to actual movement paths of hands of a swimmer whencarrying out a swimming movement. The traction elements 6 are arrangedat an acute angle α relative to the longitudinal axis O--O of the usersupporting surface 2. The pivots 9 of the traction elements 6 nearest tothe user supporting surface 2 lie below the supporting surface 2. Aspacing 1 between the pivots 9 of the traction element 6 closest to thesupporting surface 2 is larger than the spacing 1₁ between the pivots 10of the traction elements 6 furthest from the supporting surface 2, whichare located in front of the supporting surface 2.

Each endless traction element 6 comprises two endless parallel extendingbands 11 (FIGS. 3, 4) or chains, to which gripping elements 7 for handsof a user are perpendicularly attached. The gripping elements 7 have theshape of strips and are of flexible material, for example of webmaterial or leather. The strips are bowed-shaped and are affixed to thebands 11 by means of plates 12 and attaching elements 13 (FIG. 3).

To form the bowed-shaped upper surfaces 8 (FIG. 1) each endless tractionelement 6 is mounted on a frame 14 at vertical supports 15 and. 16. Theheights of the vertical supports are gradually reduced corresponding toa curve of the upper surface 8 in a direction towards the frame 1 andfinally possibly increased a little bit behind a shoulder joint of theuser. Horizontal struts 17 are attached at one end to the verticalsupport 16 which is furthest from the user. The lengths of the struts 17increase downwardly to form the gradual bowed shape of the upper surface8 toward the supports 15. Rollers 18 are mounted at ends of the supports15 and struts 17 for supporting the upper and lower spans of the endlessbands 11. The endless bands 11 have openings 19 (FIG. 4) with which theyengage teeth on gears 20 which are mounted on shafts 21 when the endlesstraction elements 6 are pulled through.

Each support 15 (FIG. 1) and each strut 17 comprises two telescopingparts. By this means, the parts can be moved relative to one another tomake possible a corresponding change in a curved radius of thebowed-shaped upper surface 8 of the upper span of the traction element6. This allows effective training of swimmers with variousanthropometric data to be carried out. The parts can be affixed for eachsupport 15 and each strut 17 by means of an attaching element 22. Theloading devices 4 which cooperate with the endless traction elements 6,can be, as desired, known electromagnetic apparatus, such aselectromagnets, or motor generators, as well as friction couplings. Theloading device 4 is coupled to a load indicator 23 by the shaft 21 ofthe gears 20 of the pivot 10 farthest from the supporting surface 2. Itproduces a resistance against the pulling through of the endlesstraction element 6, that is, simultaneously for both traction elementsor particularly for each.

The shafts 21 of the gears 20 of the pivot 9 closest to the usersupporting surface 2 of the traction elements 6 are mounted on the frame14 by means of a tensioning apparatus 24. With the tensioning apparatus24, the tension of the upper and the lower spans of the tractionelements 6 can be adjusted. A mattress 25 is arranged on the supportingsurface 2 of an apparatus for imitating the floating of a body of aswimmer. The mattress 25 is filled with a fluid, such as air or water.

When training is carried out a user lies comfortably on the mattress 25.Thereafter, he begins to carry out swimming movements with his arms,which movements correspond to those of a crawl stroke or a butterflystroke.

When the crawl stroke is carried out, each arm of the swimmer is movedthrough a path which is close to a circular path. At a moment in which ahand normally enters water, it engages a corresponding gripping element7 of the appropriate endless traction element 6 and pulls it, uponfurther movement, through, whereby the traction element 6 runs on therollers 18 mounted on the supports 15 and the struts 17. The endlessbands 11 of the traction elements 6, by means of their openings 19,rotate the gears 20 which, in turn, transmit a rotational moment to theloading device 4. If the loading device is an electronic apparatus, itcreates an electromagnetic flow dependent upon the pulling-throughspeed, i.e., the rotational speed of the gears 20, which applies acounter-resistance to a exercising force of the user pulling thetraction element 6 through. This is displayed on the load indicator 23for training parameters being carried out, for example as a force-timeline (F-T function).

When carrying out a butterfly stroke, both user's arms simultaneouslypull against the traction elements 6 and carry this motion through.

I claim
 1. A muscle training device, particularly for swimmers:having auser supporting surface (2); having an endless traction element (6)which turns about two pivots (9, 10) arranged in front of the usersupporting surface (2), said traction elements being provided withgripping elements (7) and a loading device (4) for applying a forceopposing movement of the traction element (6); characterized in that: afurther endless traction element (6) is provided; both traction elements(6) being symmetrically arranged at an angle e with respect to alongitudinal axis of the user supporting surface (2), whereby a spacingbetween the traction elements (6) at their pivots (9) nearest to theuser supporting surface (2) is greater than a spacing between theirpivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface (2); and upperstrands of the traction elements have curved upper surfaces (8), wherebythe pivots (9) nearest the user supporting surface (2) lie lower thanthe pivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface.
 2. A muscletraining device as in claim 1 wherein the traction elements (6) are eachcomprised of two endless bands (11) and the gripping elements (7) areformed as flexible and bowed-shaped strips which are attached to thebands (11) to be perpendicular thereto.
 3. A device as in claim iwherein curves of the upper surfaces (8) can be changed.
 4. A device asin claim 1 wherein the loading device (4) is an electromagneticapparatus.
 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein the loading device (4) is afriction coupling.
 6. A device as in claim 1 wherein a fluid-filledmattress (25) is arranged on the supporting surface (2).
 7. A device asin claim 1 wherein the curved upper surfaces (8) adapted to conform tomovement of the user's hands during a crawl stroke.
 8. A device as inclaim 1 wherein the curved upper surfaces (8) adapted to conform tomovement of the user's hands during a butterfly stroke.